Page 567 - 2018 National Home Improvement

2018 National Home Improvement Estimator, All Rights Reserved Page 448

Balustrades
To exclude insects and flying debris, enclose the porch with either combination windows or window
screen. See Figure 16-7A. An open balustrade adds safety as well as a decorative accent to a porch
that isn't enclosed. See Figure 16-7B.

All wood railing exposed to weather should be shaped to shed water. Select railing that tapers slightly
at the edges. Figure 16-8A shows a balustrade with a tapered top rail, a tapered bottom rail and
balusters connecting the two. Design the joint between the post and rail to avoid trapping moisture. One
method is to leave a small space between the post and the end of the railing, as shown in Figure 16-8B.
Treat the cut rail end with water-repellent preservative. Wood posts, balusters and railings should be
made from either the heartwood of a decay-resistant wood species or from treated wood. Place a small
block under the bottom railing so it doesn't contact a concrete floor. Any wood in contact with concrete
should be pressure-treated.

You must provide a railing around the perimeter of the porch if it's more than 30 inches above the
existing grade. Generally the railing on a single-family residential porch or deck must be at least 36
inches high. Secure all hand rails and guard rails firmly to the deck. The space between balusters must
be narrow enough so that nothing larger than a 4-inch-diameter sphere can pass through it.

Elevated Decks
An elevated wood deck is a good choice for a sloping lot where a concrete patio slab isn't practical. Use
pressure-treated or decay-resistant lumber for support posts, beams and joists. Joist spacing can be
24, 16 or 12 inches on center, depending on the anticipated load and the type of deck material you use.
The deck surface can be either wood that's naturally decay-resistant, pressure-treated, or a composite
made from recycled plastics. Synthetic decking doesn't have the strength of wood decking and usually
requires joists spaced 12 inches on center.